Man Utd news: Jose Mourinho wants Antoine Griezmann and Radja Nainggolan
United are joint-top of the Premier League and are looking for their second successive Champions League victory when they take on Shakhtar Donetsk tonight (7.45pm).
But Red Devils boss Mourinho is already thinking about reinforcements to better his squad.
Express Sport understands Mourinho has requested the signing of Atletico Madrid star Griezmann, who has a release clause worth £88m (€100m).
Griezmann was wanted at Old Trafford this summer but he decided to stay at Atletico and repay their loyalty to him in their new Wanda Metropolitano stadium.
But with Diego Costa arriving in Diego Simeone’s squad in January, when the Spanish giants are officially able to make transfers again a deal could be put in place for the summer.
And according to The Sun, Mourinho has also set his sights on Roma midfielder Nainggolan.
He send scouts to watch both players and £85m-rated Saul Niguez during Roma’s 0-0 Champions League draw with Atletico earlier this month.
A Manchester United source told The Sun: “Jose sent scouts to the game to look at a number of players, but most importantly Nainggolan.
“He is a big fan of his. Griezmann was also looked at, but we know everything we need to about him already.
“They are going to go back in for him next summer, that’s for sure. The main thing is to replace Michael Carrick, though.
“Jose had wanted to sign Nainggolan as far back as his days at Chelsea, he is that big a fan.”
Nainggolan would provide a strong option to replace 36-year-old Carrick, whose contract expires at the end of the season.
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Man Utd news: Jose Mourinho is already planning his signings for next summer
The 29-year-old Belgium international is renowned for being an enforcer on the pitch and for his interesting lifestyle off it.
Nainggolan openly admits he smokes and drinks but is one of the best defensive midfielders in the game.
Griezmann is a long-term target of United and Mourinho and could compliment Romelu Lukaku well as a No 10.
The 26-year-old has scored three goals in seven games this season and would add plenty of creativity to United’s forward line.
Jose Mourinho handed Zlatan Ibrahimovic a new one-year deal when it was clear Griezmann was staying put, but the Swede is unlikely to get a third term at Old Trafford.
And Griezmann is close friends with Paul Pogba, who has admitted he would love to play alongside his France team-mate in Manchester.
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